Singapore, US ink deal to study nuclear technology

Singapore and the U.S. signed a landmark deal on Wednesday to study how nuclear technology can support climate and energy needs.

The agreement, commonly known as a "123 Agreement", was inked by Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the second day of the latter's official visit to the city state.

The agreement, which will enable deeper nuclear cooperation between Singapore and the U.S., is expected to come into force by the end of this year and will last for 30 years.

However, according to the joint statement, Singapore has not made any decision regarding the deployment of nuclear energy in this country. The agreement will also enable Singapore to collaborate with other countries that use nuclear energy technologies and designs containing components or intellectual property of U.S. origin.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Balakrishnan said Singapore views nuclear non-proliferation as essential to international peace and security.

He went on to say that the agreement, which needs to be ratified by the U.S. Congress, facilitates access to information and technological expertise, and allows Singapore to deepen its engagements with civil nuclear experts in the U.S.

Singapore is exploring the feasibility of nuclear energy as a potential power source to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. A 2022 report on Singapore's energy future stated that nuclear energy could supply about a 10th of the country's energy needs by 2050.